Two years ago on a grey, stormy in-service day at South Mountain Middle School in Allentown Pa, two teachers sat in a classroom and talked about their passions. One said they wanted to write childrens books, another said they loved designing curriculum and training teachers. When they left school that day they had formulated a plan to write together. They had no support, and no promise that it would amount to anything. They spent many nights in the basement toiling away, correcting words, searching for misconceptions, thinking through every possible scenario. They perfected their system through blood sweat and tears, all the while their belief that what they were creating was good carried them through.

Ali and the book

Two years later, infront of a small crowd at the National Science Teachers Association in Philadelphia, they presented their book.

I am one of the teachers :)

I've had so many once in a lifetime moments this year, but this is one that I really feel like I own. Ali and I began the Think Scientifically project on our own, and through my new job at Goddard I was able to make it into a solid, funded, elementary education program. Our first published book is called "The Day Joshua Jumped Too Much." While it isn't the first story we wrote together, it is the first that we have seen through to completion. Two illustrators, edits, graphics, and typos - the road has been long and hard. But we started it, and we are finishing it. I can't express how good it feels.

While getting ready for our presentation at NSTA we kept saying to each other "It's really happening!" over and over... I can't believe it's really happening. Ali and I work so well together. We bring out the best in each other creatively. We have similar goals, and we understand the scope of this project like only founders can. I never dreamed it would get to this place. I hoped it would. I couldn't see this place from the beginning. It just goes to show the surprises life can throw at you. It's taught me never to stop pushing, and to dream harder and bigger.

Hi Aleya! I'm so glad I found your website, it's been ages and I've been wondering what you've been up to. It's AviatorDave's birthday next weekend and I've been thinking about his life. (I usually go flying on May 30.)

Amazed and inspired that you've won the Champion contest, and I look forward to reading about the other good things that will continue to come into your life. Your future looks very bright.

I recently came across your site and thought you might be interested in writing a guest blog for The Clymb. We're a private sale network for a vast array of outdoor brands that include running, biking, climbing, skiing, snowboarding and other outdoor/athletic accessories.

We’re launching a blog series called, “Why I….” This can be “Why I Climb,” “Why I Run,” “Why I Ski,” etc. The blog should reveal how you got started in the sport, what inspires you, and what you’ve gained or learned.

We think our members would be interested in why people participate in certain activities and that it’d be a pretty fun read. We’ll link back to your blog in the post, tweet about it and share it with our fans on Facebook. We have a wide reach and you should get new readers because of it.

We’d also love it if you accepted the invitation for a free membership below:

http://www.theclymb.com/invite-from/ClimbingBlogger

Twice a week, members receive deals on popular athletic brands like DAKINE, SIGG, and Mountain Khakis. Once you become a member, you'll have your own invite code you can share with your friends. Upon shipment of their first order, you'll receive a $10 credit for your own future purchases. (That's $10 per first shipment for each person you sign up.)

Also, if you know of other climbers with blogs that might be interested, please let me know.